Fluency

We should have neither morbid fascination nor immobilizing fear when it comes to the spiritual battle we face. It should actually be part of our growth.

But in thinking about spiritual warfare and spiritual formation, we need to look at the relationship between two concepts: temptation and spiritual warfare.

So,what is the difference between temptation and spiritual warfare?
How does proper response to temptation and spiritual warfare strength our growth and prepare us for greater growth?

Though many people want to blame Satan for all our sin, James states that we are tempted by our own desires.

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

Does that mean that Satan is not involved or simply that we can’t blame him for our sin?

If you look at passage that deal with temptation we see a consistent call to “flee.”

2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (ESV)
1 Timothy 6:9-11 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (ESV)

See also narrative of Joseph, Genesis 39:1-20

Observations
Flee indicates we have a choice
Flee usually requires not only “stopping” but replacing

If you look at passage that deal with spiritual warfare we see a consistent call to “stand firm” or “resist.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (ESV)
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love. (ESV)
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (ESV)
1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (ESV)
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (ESV)

Observations
Stand firm indicates we have a choice

So what is the difference or relationship between spiritual warfare and temptation?

My proposal is simple:

In spiritual warfare, Satan is trying to keep us from doing something we should do therefore we are commanded to stand firm–keep doing what we should do.

When facing temptation, our flesh, the world and Satan are trying to get us to do something we should not therefore we are commanded to flee (and pursue righteousness).

Satan’s strategy with Christians is to keep us out of his way or to cause of to be a hindrance to the gospel.

Through spiritual warfare, the devil is trying to keep us from doing what we should be doing—
Standing for the truth
Sharing the gospel
Maintaining the unity of the body

As a matter of fact, what led me to this observation comes from the end of the most “famous” passage on spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. NIV

Paul’s request for prayer in the midst of spiritual warfare was for fearless proclamation—that he would stand up and do what he should do.

What is interesting about this is that we tend to reverse the process.

When it comes to temptation, we want to stand and fight. We want to beat it “this time.”

When it comes to warfare, we tend to run. We give in to fear—what will they think of me if I tell them I am a Christian? What will happen if I don’t go along with the gossip in the church?

But the instructions are clear.
Flee temptation–don’t give in to what you should not do.
Stand firm for the truth against the schemes of the devil–don’t give in, do what you should do.

Just a reminder

What do you do to feed your soul?

That is, what do you do to insure that the information your encounter from the Bible (Sermons, ABF classes, devotional reading, etc.) not only goes into your mind but transforms your heart?

Is your soul/spirit refreshed or weary? Why?

Think of a time when your inner man (2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16) was joyful, energized, content in your walk with God.

What relational context are you involved that is helping encourage your soul satisfaction in God and life? How are they encouraging, promoting and energizing your soul satisfaction?

These are questions I have been asking myself and others. Below are some of the answers (in my own words). Not an exhaustive study, but then I don’t want to exhaust my soul, but refresh it.☺

What do you do to feed your soul?

Solitude–getting away from the every day “have tos”
Journaling
Keep a healthy balance between devotional reading of Scripture, prayer and mind stretching reading
Praise music
Read spiritual biographies
Cycle through different spiritual disciplines to maintain a freshness

Is your soul/spirit refreshed or weary? Why?

Causes for weariness:
Business/complicated life
Wearied by circumstances, including health concerns
Constant “giving”–emptying the tank without refilling

Causes for refreshment:
Serving others–taking my eyes off myself
Maintaining spiritual disciplines even when I don’t feel like it, until I feel like it

How are/can your intentional relational contexts encourage, promote or energize your soul satisfaction?

Learning to be authentic, not allow people to remain shallow
Need for accountability in an authentic accepting environment
Knowing that people will not judge or condemn but help
Learning from others
Just knowing they care

What are your thoughts? What would you add?

Often when I consider the need to reach out to the world around me and my own lack of active outreach I can rationalize that it is because I don’t have the “gift of evangelist.” I would consider Paul the prototypical evangelist–bold, fearless, eloquent, brilliant and knowledgeable. When it comes to outreach I am all to often am the opposite what Paul “seems” to be.  But while I know that though some might be gifted for evangelism–and I almost envy their gift–Scripture clearly commands all believers to be witnesses.

That is why it is both encouraging and convicting to read what Paul has to say about prayer and outreach.

Colossians 4:2-6
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (ESV)

Paul asked for prayer and he asked for prayer related to his ability, attitude and availability to do outreach.

The request for prayer was specific:
That God would open doors–prayer for opportunities (this is God’s job to provide the opportunities)
That he would speak with clarity as he should–perhaps meaning that he would not use confusing language, add rules to the simplicity of the gospel, or minimize the truth and requirements of a follower of Jesus Christ.

In Ephesians 6:18-20, a parallel passage to Colossians 4, and as part of his instruction on spiritual warfare, Paul asks his readers to pray for him to speak boldly.  Paul asking for the courage to speak boldly?!

Combining the requests in both of these passages, Paul asked for prayer for open doors, boldness and clarity then precedes to remind readers of the need to live wisely in contact with unbelievers speaking with gracious pleasing speech.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

So outreach started with prayer and requires active involvement with those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus.

The challenge for me and others who are not evangelist is to start praying for open door and sensitive to see the opening.

That is my goal–to pray daily for God to do what only He can do, open doors and for me to do what only I can do, share sensitively, graciously, boldly and wisely with those individuals God brings into my path.